Psychology

This ease of gaining virtue status on social media, coupled with our innate desire for status, explains the platform's toxicity. We're drawn to the simplest form of status acquisition, and social media facilitates this with minimal effort, creating a cycle of virtue signalling that feeds our need for recognition and approval.

British journalist and author known for investigative reporting and psychology books

I don't believe social media has transformed the essence of our social dynamics; rather, it has introduced a novel arena for the age-old status games we've always played. Human social interactions are fundamentally structured around three types of status games: dominance, virtue, and competence.

British journalist and author known for investigative reporting and psychology books

Our brains are adept at concealing our motives from ourselves, convincing us that we are not as interested in status as we might actually be. This self-deception, paradoxically, enhances our ability to argue our lack of interest in status, which, in turn, can ironically increase our standing within the social group.

British journalist and author known for investigative reporting and psychology books

Status, I believe, is intrinsic to our very being it's at the core of who we are. This quest for status isn't a novel aspect of human behaviour—it's a pursuit that predates our very existence as humans. This pursuit isn't just a facet of our lives; it essentially narrates the story of human existence.

British journalist and author known for investigative reporting and psychology books

People need to see that their responses are attempts to help themselves. The problem often lies in focusing only on the negative effects of these responses, not their intentions. By appreciating the reasons behind their actions, there's a much greater chance for positive change.

Releasing trauma has not only rejuvenated my appearance but also lightened the energetic burden on my soul and body, allowing me to become more authentically myself. It's amusing when people comment on how young I look and ask about my skincare routine. I tell them it's the result of healing my trauma.

Unlike the common societal and professional desire to dismiss these responses as merely negative—viewing depression, anxiety, or suicidal thoughts as things to eliminate—I believe we should examine them more closely. How is drinking serving you? When we shift from judging to listening, people start to understand.

Everyone experiences some form of trauma. Many people are unaware that being bullied, constantly criticised, or neglected can also be forms of trauma. There's a growing recognition of these repeated relational injuries—being ignored or growing up in a dysfunctional family where excessive drinking or overworking occurs, neglecting one's emotional needs.

My resilience, I believe, is inherited from my parents. They, ordinary in every sense, achieved the extraordinary for us, their children, striving to offer opportunities they never had. They embodied perseverance, teaching me to distinguish a bad day from a bad life, to persist, and to adapt.

Syrian Swimmer & Refugee Advocate Who Competed in Olympics

This stubbornness was further highlighted during a significant hiatus from swimming at 15, amidst the turmoil of war. My father had left the country, leaving me to navigate adolescence in rebellion, seeking normalcy in defiance. That year was transformative—cutting my hair, getting a piercing, and quitting swimming symbolised a personal revolution, leading me to realize my participation in the sport was for my own sake, not merely to fulfil my father's expectations.

Syrian Swimmer & Refugee Advocate Who Competed in Olympics

I realised Freud had it all wrong; it wasn't about penis envy—a concept I hadn't encountered in 40 years of practice. The real desire should be for a healthier brain. That was the moment I understood the importance of brain envy.

Psychiatrist & Brain Imaging Expert Known for ADD/ADHD Research & Treatment

Falling in love with your brain ignites a passion for discovering how best to nurture it. I'm particularly fond of one guiding question: 'Is this good for my brain or bad for it?' When you respond to this query armed with knowledge and driven by love, you naturally start making wiser choices.

Psychiatrist & Brain Imaging Expert Known for ADD/ADHD Research & Treatment

My life's mission is to dismantle the notion of mental illness altogether. I detest it. It only serves to shame and stigmatise those with brain health challenges, which is utterly wrong.

Psychiatrist & Brain Imaging Expert Known for ADD/ADHD Research & Treatment

You notice the wrinkles on your face or the extra weight around your midsection and feel motivated to address these concerns. However, since most individuals rarely, if ever, see their own brain, it simply doesn't register on their list of priorities. This attitude needs a complete overhaul.

Psychiatrist & Brain Imaging Expert Known for ADD/ADHD Research & Treatment

It's not just the hostage who suffers, but their entire family. In some cases, families endure greater agony, living in uncertainty about their loved one's fate. For example, during my captivity, my wife was unaware of my survival for three and a half years.

Envoy Who Negotiated Release of Hostages in Lebanon During 1980s

The adjustment to life post-hostage varies significantly from person to person. Some adapt swiftly, while others may take years, and a few, unfortunately, never fully recover from the trauma—though they are the minority.

Envoy Who Negotiated Release of Hostages in Lebanon During 1980s